Plinth Course

The plinth is a slightly thicker course at the base of a wall or a column; often made of a more durable material than the rest of the wall or column.

In Rural Building, the plinth commonly consists of only one sandcrete course. The plinth course forms the first course of the rising wall immediately above the footings, and it is 1 cm wider than the landcrete blocks (Fig. 1). This 1 cm difference is evident from the inside face of the wall, but it is covered when the wall 5s plastered.

1 - CONCRETE FLOOR

2 - FINE SAND

3 - FINE GRAVEL

4 - COARSE GRAVEL

5 - SMALL STONES

6 - ROCKS & STONES

7 - FIRM SOIL

FUNCTION OF THE PLINTH COURSE

The plinth course raises the landcrete blocks above the finished floor level so that they cannot be penetrated by moisture (from outside by rain, from inside by water used for cleaning, etc.)-

Although the landcrete blocks can withstand a skin-deep penetration of water for a short time, they must be protected against the long-lasting influences of the rainy season.

The most affected part of a building is always at the foot of the walls. Rain-water coming from the roof splashes up against the wall and creates a dirty strip about 60 cm in height, which is seen all along the footings. This area is more exposed to penetration by water than the rest of the wall, but the landcrete blocks are raised by the plinth course well above the endangered zone.

The illustration shows the possible paths which the water can take when penetrating the structure.